Giving the right compliment can improve someone's opinion of herself and make her day. It can also make someone self-conscious, suspicious and even resentful. Understanding when and how to make a compliment gives you the ability to affect a person's self-image. If you take the time to learn this skill, it will make a positive difference in any relationship you have.

· Choose your words carefully. A well-intentioned compliment like, "You really look thin in those shorts," can lead the recipient to think she must look overweight the rest of the time, and your compliment will backfire. A better compliment would be something like, "Those shorts really look nice on you," or even a simple, "You look great in those shorts," will suffice.

· Focus on something besides the physical attributes of the person you wish to compliment. A compliment that involves personality, like "You're always so nice, " or "I can't believe how generous you are with your time," will show the person that you take the time to notice more than just his appearance.

· Give compliments when you mean them. If you are just looking for something nice to say to make an impression, she will see that, and it is more likely to lead to mistrust and anger than the positive reaction you were hoping for.

Be sure, it will help you be successful in any relations.